Last night, the young group of touch footy players who have been selected for this weekend’s selection camp got together for one more night of local competition.
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The squad being sent by Yass, which is made up of 11 kids, includes Miguel Fernandez (Under 18 Boys), Tom Carey, Jake Garner, Jack Hall, Joel Blyss, Josh McIver, Harry McLeod, Patrick McPhillips (Under 16 Boys), Sam Pack (Under 14 Boys), Holly George and Ashley Fernandez (Under 16 Girls).
The kids will be competing to impress the selectors of the New South Wales Touch Association (NSWTA), who will be present at the camp.
If they are lucky enough to be selected, the kids will represent the Southern Suns at the NSWTA Junior Regional Championships
McIver, who was selected for the same training camp last year, is wary of what to expect but remains excited about the opportunity.
“Last year I tried hard and got into the squad,” he said.
“I’m keen for this weekend.
“There’s a lot more people to select from so [it’ll be] a lot harder to get in this year.”
Over the last year, McIver has been focusing more on his go-karting than his footy, so with the extremely high level of the competition he is not optimistic about his chances of selection.
“I did [play rugby league], but I finished up this year. I do go-kart racing so it was a bit hard to find the time.
“[I’m] not quite [playing better], but hopefully I’ll be able to have a good run … [and] try my best.”
The 11 kids that will represent Yass this weekend were selected as a result of the Southern Suns tournament that was held in Yass on November 5, which included seven local teams.
Touch football coach and member of the Yass Touch Committee Ben Wylie fully expects the kids to put on a good display of touch football this weekend.
“From the games and stuff that I saw at the tournament two weeks ago … some of the Yass kids have a good shot,” he said.
“So hopefully they can get across the line and make the teams, it’d be awesome to see Yass touch represented again [after last season].”
Wylie believes that the kids have played themselves in to the touch season and will be ready to peak on the weekend.
“Over winter there’s not much touch football for them so getting back into the Yass competitions and having this tournament and getting back in the swing of things with training, I think they’ll be rearing to go,” Wylie said.
The training camp will take place in Yass at Walker Park over the course of November 18 and 19. Participants are advised to bring a pillow case, sheets, water, sunscreen, and a hat. Meals will be provided.
